Chambers Handbook for Judges - Federal Judicial Center

1. Communication with the Media 17
2. Rules Regarding the Media in Court 18
I. The Attorneys 19
1. Neutrality and Impartiality 21
2. Prior Notice to Counsel 21
J. Restrictions on Law Clerks 22
1. Involvement in Cases of Attorneys with Whom Applications
for Employment Are Pending 22
2. Practice After Termination of a Clerkship: Cases in Which
the Law Clerk Was Involved; Appearances Before the Judge
for Whom the Law Clerk Worked 22
Chapter 3. Basic Analysis of Litigation Conducted in
U.S. Courts 23
§ 3-1. The Civil Action 23
A. Federal Jurisdiction 23
B. Processing Litigation 23
C. Commencement of Action 24
D. Multidistrict Litigation Problems 26
E. Service of Summons and Complaint; Waiver of Service 26
F. Motion Practice 28
G. Opinions on Motions Under Submission 31
H. Temporary Restraining Orders 32
I. The Answer 33
J. Alternative Dispute Resolution 34
1. Arbitration 34
2. Mediation 35
3. Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE) 35
4. Nonbinding Summary Jury Trial 36
5. Nonbinding Summary Bench Trial 36
6. Settlement Weeks 36
K. The Dormant Action 36
L. Motion Practice After Answer 37
1. Discovery Motions and Schedules 37
2. Summary Judgment and Amended Pleadings Motions 39
M. Pretrial Conference 39
N. Pretrial Orders 41
O. Sanctions 41
iv Chambers Handbook for Judges’ Law Clerks and Secretaries